By Gillian Ellison

Published at 11:10, Thursday, 17 May 2012

A CELEBRATION event was held by Copeland Council to mark the achievements of its apprentice schemes.

WORKING PARTY: The apprentices and employers join the mayor and councillors in the mayor’s parlour.

The event, held in the mayor’s parlour, played host to apprentices, partners, employers and funders.

Among those in attendance were winners of the recent Lakes College Apprentice Awards from the borough.

Council leader Elaine Woodburn said: “We were keen to invite in the successful apprentices, along with all those other partners we have worked with to deliver the apprentice scheme, to say thank them for helping make the programme the success it has been.

“We know that youth employment is a problem right across the country, and Copeland is no different. The Copeland Apprentice Scheme, and the other programmes which preceded it, have made a huge difference in helping to address this problem.

The scheme has now recruited 53 people – many of whom have or will take up permanent positions.

It follows the Future Jobs Fund programme where the council supported 48 young people into full-time jobs (12-month contracts).

The initiative is open to unemployed people aged 16 and over with specific emphasis on those not in employment, education and training (Neets). The scheme engages with local employers, in particular those who have not employed apprentices previously, and they are entitled to a 60 per cent subsidy towards the apprentice’s salary.

Copeland manages the initiative, Lakes College West Cumbria delivers the training element and Inspira (formerly Connexions) provides pre interview support/referrals.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk